I am starting this one with a definition from Wikipedia:
A fakir (the Persian &#1601;&#1602;&#1740;&#1585;, transl. "faqir" which means "poor," and the Arab &#1601;&#1602;&#1585;, faqr , ' poverty ') 1 is an ascetic (or marabout in culture Muslim ) running challenges of physical and mental endurance such as walking on fire or glass, torches or knives inserted in his mouth, lying on beds with nails, among others.
The term, originally Islamic , culture was extended to India . Currently also mentions circus artists who practice such activities as trade.
And I will expand it.
the FAQUIRs were often the throw away people as well, the dwarves, the lame and the dirt poor. But in their POVERTY arose a spirituality beyond any human belief! The FIRE EATER I presented to you here was a FAQUIR as well as the SNAKE CHARMER! In modern times they entertain the tourists but these are the men other men climbed mountains for to gain knowledge! Their bodily control is awesome to walk on hot coals or fire or lay on a bed of nails is no easy stunt! That is why they are called: ASCETICS! One more definition for you - that of ASCETIC: Asceticism or ascetic (in Greek : &#7940;&#963;&#954;&#951;&#963;&#953;&#962; , askesis , " exercise "or" training "), is called to the religious and philosophical doctrine that seeks to purify the spirit through the denial of material pleasures or abstinence , the set of procedures doctrine and behavior morality which is based on the systematic opposition to the fulfillment of needs of various kinds that depend to a greater or lesser extent, the degree and direction in question. In many religious traditions, asceticism is a way to access mystical .
Most systems needs disdain ascetic physiological the individual as being of lower order.
In the West , the ascetic doctrines first arose in ancient Greece . However, these practices were already ancient in the East . The asceticism reached its dissemination to join religious systems such as Buddhism , the Christianity and Islam . So I am honored to dedicate this MOCpage to the FAQUIRS of the Arab World and the Indian World - we have a lot to learn from these men!